WNAM MONITORING: In recent years, relations between Uzbekistan and Russia have reached a new level.
The definition of “strategic partnership and alliance” characteristic of relations between the two countries is an objective, pure reality. Therefore, cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia is essential for the sake of the common interests of the Central Asian region.
At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on May 26-27, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to Uzbekistan. There is no doubt that this visit will help raise the strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries to a qualitatively new level.
Here are interviews of some experts on the current state of relations between the two countries:
Chairman of the Assembly of Economy of Uzbekistan Mukhtar Umarov:
Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia is of particular importance. Shared history, cultural proximity, and, most importantly, regular meetings of heads of state are essential in developing historical ties. Of course, economics is considered a decisive factor in high-level, multifaceted relationships. Warm relations with Russia, the primary market for our agricultural products and one of the leading investment partners, are very important for developing Uzbekistan’s economy.
Russia is also interested in the fact that our country is located in the very center of Central Asia. Many new agreements are expected to be reached during the upcoming visit of the Russian leader. In particular, effective negotiations will take place with representatives of the business, transport and logistics, energy, investment, and trade sectors. Implementing all measures will undoubtedly bring relations between Uzbekistan and Russia to a new, higher level.
As of January-April 2024, Russia ranks second after China among the countries with the largest share in Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover. In the statistics of the exchange of goods and services of our country with foreign countries, the share of the Russian Federation for 3 billion 843.8 million dollars is equal to 18.4 percent of the total amount. In recent years, the dialogue between the business structures of the two countries has intensified, mutual cultural and humanitarian ties have expanded, the volume of trade is constantly increasing, and a green corridor has been opened for the supply of agricultural products. In our country, with the participation of leading Russian companies and banks, large-scale investment projects are being implemented in many vital industries, such as energy, oil and gas, chemistry, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, textile and food industries. At the same time, there is enormous untapped potential.
Supporting multifaceted relations with the Russian Federation has always been and will be a strategic direction of our foreign policy. The agreements reached by the leaders of Uzbekistan and Russia make it possible to achieve practical results in the trade, economic, political, cultural, and humanitarian spheres, as well as in the security sphere, and are the basis for joint consistent actions at different levels. Partnerships between governments, parliaments, and businesses have intensified by implementing a specially designed roadmap. The scope of direct contacts at the regional level has expanded.
In general, if you pay attention to the scale of upcoming events as part of Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Uzbekistan, then it is evident that a vital period has begun to strengthen friendly relations based on mutual trust.
Director of the Center for Analytical Research at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies Sayfiddin Jurayev:
– Political diplomacy, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian relations between the two countries are rising to a higher level. The following state visit of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to our country will take place in a strategic format, which will analyze the results achieved considering the requirements of the new era.
In the modern era of globalization, political, diplomatic, and economic relations between Uzbekistan and Russia are constantly developing, acquiring consistency, and showing the nature of strategic partnership and alliance in the context of fundamental changes taking place in the international arena. A full-scale dialogue based on mutual trust between the two countries’ leaders creates a solid basis for this process.
First, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Vladimir Putin held eight telephone conversations and two meetings over the year. Ministers and regional heads visited our country. The dialogue between heads of government, interparliamentary delegations, senior officials of public organizations, and security and defense departments has acquired a permanent character. Foreign ministers are also in constant bilateral contact.
Second, projects in industry, energy, transport, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors have entered an active phase. Russia is one of Uzbekistan’s most significant foreign trade partners. In 2023, mutual foreign trade turnover reached $9.8 billion. Over the past 20 years, the Russian Federation has invested $13 billion in Uzbekistan, directed to industry and production.
Third, cooperative ties are developing as a new direction of interaction between regions. The Khimgrad Industrial Technology Park is successfully operating in Tashkent and Jizzakh regions. New innovative parks “Alabuga” and “Master” are being created in Bukhara and Navoi regions. Such a platform aligns with the current trend toward regionalization as the appeal of globalization wanes. In a broad sense, regionalization is one of the primary means of economic development.
Fourth, in recent years, trips by Russians to Uzbekistan have increased more than tenfold, and the number of Russian tourists coming to our country has increased from 37 thousand to 403 thousand. In 2023, the share of Russians in the total number of foreign tourists was 33 percent. More than 800 thousand of our compatriots traveled to Russia, twice as many as last year. There are 250 flights per week between Russia and Uzbekistan.
The most important thing is that the high level of our modern relations serves the common good.
After being re-elected as President, Vladimir Putin, after China and Belarus, pays a state visit to Uzbekistan. This is a sign of high trust in Uzbekistan, the people, and the Leader of our country. In turn, the upcoming dialogue and agreements will lay the foundation for taking relations between the two countries to a new level.
Doctor of Political Sciences Farkhod Karimov:
– Russia recognized the independence and sovereignty of our country on March 20, 1992, and the modern era of relations began. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of establishing relations between the two independent countries.
Over the past period, many documents signed in such priority areas as education and the economy have created a solid foundation for developing diplomatic relations.
Our country intends to accelerate the implementation of existing agreements and mutually beneficial projects and expand cooperation in promising areas.
Uzbekistan conducts reliable, serious, concrete work with all Russian companies in different areas. Almost no area remains where our countries have not established relations. For example, the development of the digital economy is an up-and-coming area of cooperation, so the two countries almost simultaneously began implementing a program to introduce information technologies, which are considered very important for development. In addition, joint efforts are being made to create technology parks by developing the digital economy, improving postal services, improving public relations specialists’ skills, and training IT specialists.
Cultural and humanitarian ties are an essential condition for the development of relations between countries. Many young people from Uzbekistan are interested in studying at higher education institutions in the Russian Federation. Branches of Russian universities in Tashkent are in high demand among students, including the Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, and the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics.
Another striking example of strong cooperation is the coordination of efforts on national, regional, and international security issues. Tashkent and Moscow have established an active partnership in comprehensive areas, particularly in strengthening peace and stability and combating terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking.
In short, the new stage of relations gives confidence to the political dialogue between official Tashkent and Moscow. The visit of the Leader of the Russian Federation to Uzbekistan will allow our countries to continue joint actions at all levels and in all relevant areas.